Dubai ready to welcome 157 cruise ships this season

Dubai gets ready to welcome as many as 157 cruise ships this tourism season thereby well on its way to developing into a leading hub for cruise tourism.

The season for cruise tourism commenced last October and is expected to continue well till next April (2016-2017).

This marks a 16% rise from the last year’s season.

Last year, Dubai had received 134 cruise ships, as stated by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DP World. He said that Rashid Port would receive about 6,50,000 cruise tourists that marks a rise of about 30% in the number of cruise ships over the same period of last year.

He also added that a strategic plan is currently under consideration to lure about a million cruise tourists within the year 2020.

Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler, prime minister and vice president of Dubai is keeping a close watch on this matter to ensure that the UAE and Dubai turn up into crucial nervecentres for international and even regional cruise tourism.

Dubai i gradually developing into a top tourist locale thanks to the steady aims of Al Makhtoum.

He said that next year, work would be resumed to connect cruise terminal 3 and 2 with a bridge measuring about 465 metres. Also, the number of quay would be increased.

The current quays would be expanded.

In addition, a new terminal would be created to accommodate more number of cruise ships.

Mohammed Al Mannaei, director, Mina (port) Rashid said that UAE has enough potential to develop into a leading cruise destination.